Saidi Balogun: Speaks on turning 50

Veteran Nollywood actor, Saidi Balogun is one of the most versatile actors who combines acting, producing and directing to his cap. His prowess of delivery Is second to none and as such he is one the very few who created new initiatives in the movie industry that includes been the first to produce a one cast movie. Having been faced several challenges; Walata as he is sometimes called is still waxing stronger. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Saidi Balogun talks life at 50, why people should anticipate the movie Banana Island Ghost, projects and celebration of his 50th birthday celebration.

Talented actor, Saidi Balogun is 50! That is the big news rocking the Nollywood industry. He is one handsome actor who has done well for himself. He is not only an actor he is also a movie producer that has produced so many movies.

He is very creative and he is constantly coming up with all sorts of ideas which makes many to respect him. Last week, this Ibadan born actor whose mum is from Kwara was guest at the City People Round Table Session.

Trust, Saidi, he revealed new things about his lfie. For instance, not many people know that Saidi speaks Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa fluently. Read on

You are one of the veterans casted on set of Banana Island Ghost movie which is due for cinema release in few month; how interesting was that for you?
I’m happy, interesting and nice, that’s the best thing that has ever happened to my career featuring in the movie Banana Island Ghost. I am super excited working on the set and I must say the entire casts are fantastic.

What will you say attracted you to the script?
The director, Producer, the storyline and the EP Biola Alabi, and the script itself.

What was the experience like working with new breed actors on set?
I must say it’s totally amazing and very easy for me blending with all the entire cast; I though they are some that we have worked together on several projects while other are new to me; but in all we related very well and we equally treat ourselves as brothers and sisters.

What is that one thing that stick you throughout the production process of the movie?
I must the entire production and the directing skills of the directors and most importantly; they make me feel like a star all through the set and playing the role of the DPO was totally fantastic knowing that the director has a way of bringing out the best from you.

Will it be right to say that your involvement in the project will definitely mark a turnaround in your career?
Absolutely, it is a turnaround for me career wise and am super excited to be a part of the next big thing in the Nigerian cinema. And I want to sincerely thank the entire production crew for letting me be a part of history in the making.

Tell us how you started?
I was born in Enugu, grew up in the north and I am a Yoruba boy. I lived with a man who did a lot of French. I can speak the 3 languages and it has been helping me. From the word go my mum knew I would become a good actor.

My father was a soldier and a comedian although he didn’t commercialize his own but I am doing it now. I also have guardians in the industry , Madam Saje, Yinka Quadri, Lola Idije etc they helped me grow.

I finished my secondary school in 1978 Madam Saje drove me back 8 years after. Lola Idije was always providing money for me any time I had issues at School. They have been calling me Jide Kosoko’s boy and I remain his boy.

Let’s talk your new age; how do you feel turning 50?
I feel blessed and honoured to witness the day; a lot of people started the journey same time I was born but are gone now but I give my honest appreciation to Almighty Allah to giver of life for sparing me up to this moment.

I am the president of the Golden Movie Ambassador of Nigeria, celebrating my Golden age, appearing in Golden Movie too. So call me the golden boy.

What do you think about life now that you are 50?
I have had the most beautiful moments. A lot of people know my story but, they may not know it all, because even me, I can’t tell my whole story without missing out one or two touching experiences.

For me, I am here today because Almighty Allah granted me the grace to be here and I want to live every moment of my life thanking Him for His mercy over my life. As long as life continues, we can’t run away from challenges.

What I usually tell people is that my life is an example of a man with plenty of grace. At this point in my life, I want to take things easy and be happy as much as I can. I don’t want to keep anybody in my resentment. It is a new dawn.

What are the things you engaged in before now that you can no longer do because of your age?
I have really experimented and introduced new innovations before, my records speak for me. However, I want to promote the culture of this country now, Moreso I want to focus on improving the production aspect of it.

As the President of TGMA (The Golden Movie Ambassador), what are your achievements so far?
We have done quite a lot. Just in few weeks back, we decided to empower wives of late male actors in the ‘Yoruba-speaking’ movies. These people have suffered for this industry yet their families have been abandoned.

This is why we made it a point of duty to assist them, especially some of them with the talents of singing and composing. We have to learn how to help others who are in need. They are part of us and we have to show that we care about them.

You have really taken the industry by storm, you introduced many innovations, one cast movie and all that, what should we expect from you?
I have always prayed to Allah to always allow me make history. In my first half. I moved like an helicopter then, now I will move like a plane because whenever a plane crashes the whole country shivers, I want to sell the image of this country in my second half.

We should be able to sell our culture and improve on our technical knowhow. Now I am going to try to rebrand, restructure and reposition. I was in India and I saw slums yet we don’t get to see these slums in their movies, why? they have been projecting their country in good light.

What is your biggest loss in the last 50 years?
I f I had died at 49 years it could have passed for it, I don’t dwell on losses. I thank God I am alive today. I see my disappointments as bygone.

How come you are celebrating your birthday for 4 days?
I have highlighted different things that will be done in these 4 days. You will recall that I had an accident in 2006, a lot of people thought I would die but I survived. I will be going to UCH Ibadan to pay people there a visit and present them with gifts.

Same day I will also visit the Theatre Arts department of University of Ibadan to lecture the students that stage acting is quite different from movies. I will be going there with their ex-products.

Day 2 is Saidi Balogun and the corporate bodies, we will have a policeman, Road safety Marshal and we will talk about my accident and safety measures, we will also have Insurance company and automobile company officials on ground too. The second part will have Lai Mohammed discuss how entertainers have fared in recent times. We will also have Segun Runsewe who will talk on culture.

Day 3 we will visit the remand home, talk to the boys there. We will make them realize that they can make it in life. I will take one or two of them to the prison to show them how they will end up if they don’t change.

Day 4 is when we will have our party and everyone is going to be clad in white. I have a lot of MCs that will anchor ranging from Joke Silva, Helen Paul, MC Abbey and many more.

When are you going to retire from acting?
Acting is not like football where one can retire, check out great actors they retire at very old age, some acted till they clocked 90 years. For now no retirement on my list.

5 things you don’t know about Saidi Balogun
• He is from the theatre family
• He was born in Enugu and grew up in the North
• Hails from Ibadan and mother from Kwara state
• He speaks Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa fluently
• He is the first actor in Africa to produce a one-cast movie